Re: Elizabeth Cotten - Freight Train

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Re: Elizabeth Cotten - Freight Train

Рет қаралды 390,985

Күн бұрын

More Elizabeth Cotten!
Interviewer is Shetland Fiddler Aly Bain, from his 1985 Series Down Home.
(Top Tip: Search his "Transatlantic Sessions" clips on this site for more great music)

Пікірлер: 316

@crushsatan 8 жыл бұрын

Ms. Cotton: "Ya'll know about that?" The Interviewer: "Yes." Ms. Cotton: "No you don't. You've heard about it." Great stuff.

@johnniepaul685 3 жыл бұрын

Classic!

@drexelspivey6472 4 жыл бұрын

its so sad that we dont spend more time listening to interesting elderly people who can educate us and help us to make life easier for all

@bluenickels 14 жыл бұрын

she says "you know about them? no, you don't know, you heard but you don't know." Amazing, she makes me feel great

@KRxN11 12 жыл бұрын

This legend created the "Cotten picking" style of playing guitar and banjo, upside down/left handed; was self taught and influenced a whole generation of musicians.

@johanottosson2457 10 жыл бұрын

Like if im not the only one Crying while watching her sweet tone playing :(

@karlconnolly3994 6 жыл бұрын

Johan Ottosson ...big man blubbering here. Such a touch.

@Lon3wolf13 5 жыл бұрын

3:34 am and crying while listening to her. It hits me good...

@gwendolyn2001 8 жыл бұрын

First, I cannot understand why nine people do not like this. Second, when I think of all the talent that remained unknown due to color, sex, and religion, it makes me lay my head on my desk and sigh.

@gwendolyn2001 8 жыл бұрын

Steve Gad At least some of us are aware. :)

@rux2213 8 жыл бұрын

+gwendolyn2001 maybe 9 people dont like hearing a banjo?

@gwendolyn2001 8 жыл бұрын

Mr Ruxledge Then why did they listen?

@rux2213 8 жыл бұрын

masochists?

@gwendolyn2001 8 жыл бұрын

Mr Ruxledge That might explain it!

@jhorne18 9 жыл бұрын

Thank gawd someone had the foresight to record this historical piece and most fantastic folk guitarist. It surely brought tears to my eyes. Thanks ever so much for posting.

@RRW276 9 жыл бұрын

Jeremy Horne I just posted a comment stating that it brought tears to my eyes. I scrolled down to see that I wasn't the only one. Definitely thank God for Elizabeth and thank God for the person that recorded and held onto to such a beautiful and historical pieces, as you said.

@jhorne18 9 жыл бұрын

***** ... to say nothing of the deep symbolism involved. ... and those photos.... Yes, a national treasure, to say the LEAST!

@veek.6463 7 жыл бұрын

After my husband died I had a dream on the night of my birthday- I was born at 4 am so about that time. I had a dream I was walking into a beautiful little theater with red Velvet seats and bathed in golden light. I was the only person and I sat in the 10 row in the middle. And then ai head the steps on the old wood floor and my husband walked out with his acoustic guitar and steps in the middle of the stage and played this most beautiful song over and over and over. Wished me happy birthday, told me he loved me and walked off stage and I woke up. I love this song. It made me cry, too. I love Ms Cotton. A real hero of mine and my husband really played like her. Learned a lot from her.

@Treatsandthreadscom 4 жыл бұрын

I dont know wny, but I felt that same way. I am not even deeply into this style of music but I UNDERSTAND ITS WORTH.

@cocojinx9193 2 жыл бұрын

The Anthropologist known as Alan Lomax is who to thank. For this and almost all other slave music back in this era. He did exceptionally amazing work

@diegoXSX2020 10 жыл бұрын

Respect. This is one of the most honest things you'll ever feel.

@shiversvinceajamu873 9 жыл бұрын

She was an American treasure....

@karlconnolly3994 6 жыл бұрын

shivers Vince Ajamu This video is an American treasure,her legacy also.

@0otee 3 жыл бұрын

She will always be🎶🌹❣️

@vincentsubmarinismo774 3 жыл бұрын

A world treasure, talent and honesty of this kind cannot be defined by borders♥️

@sjscharger39 8 жыл бұрын

moments like this makes my endless search on youtube worth it

@PeteD1884 12 жыл бұрын

I've heard this song a million times and only now do I see the originator performing it. What a beautiful and haunting melody. Ms. Cotten, thanks and respect from this foolish guy who doesn't play, but knows good music when he hears it.

@sis2fngpkr 8 жыл бұрын

Well, now I'm crying! What a beautiful lady ! Her life story is such a lesson for todays youth.

@iggyspirit 9 жыл бұрын

many have technique, but a few got the soul..

@veek.6463 7 жыл бұрын

I am a serious music buff and very very few have this technique. She is a tremendous player. She has tremendous command.

@EugeneWinfield 10 жыл бұрын

Can you imagine your grandmother picking up a banjo or a guitar or any instrument at all and playing original songs with such power and soul as Elizabeth Cotten does in this video? Only thing my grandmother did with this kind of intensity was make gravy and sugar toast.

@KevinMcSherryArt 10 жыл бұрын

One of the best comments I've read in a long time. :)

@lyinsroar9637 6 жыл бұрын

that's pretty cool too :)

@Framusic 3 жыл бұрын

Until lately I only knew Freight Train as an instrumental tune, mainy from Chet Atkins... But this story literally breaks my Heart and what a beautiful tune she wrote, her guitar playing is amazing and the lyrics touching. I truely Hope she will still hear number nine passing by.

@owlet1963 10 жыл бұрын

As a former busker, I am forever grateful for Elizabeth Cotten and her " Freight Train".it was and still is to this day, one of my very favorite pieces to play. Hats off to a great lady !!

@steveroberts8719 8 жыл бұрын

Saw her perform live at McCabes in Santa Monica. It was her 90th B-day and Mayor Tom Bradley had declared "Elizabeth Cotten Day" in Los Angeles. She wasn't an entirely unknown figure for as Pete Seeger once claimed "Good music will get around regardless of radio airplay or changing tastes. It's hard to believe that I saw a beautiful lady whose grandfather was born a slave. She was an American icon and I'll always remember seeing her live. I don't have a musical bone in my body as I was born entirely deficient of the music DNA (and believe me I've tried) but I know great music when I hear it and Libby Cotten played great music and is still playing for the Lord.

@nomiclas 11 жыл бұрын

has anyone noticed she is playing the guitar,upside down and lefthanded?she obviously was self taught and comfortable with the way the music sounded.what a tune!

@kitcarson57 5 жыл бұрын

The interviewer is Scotland’s finest fiddle player, Ali Bain. Catch him ,with many American guests....iris dement, Alison krauss ,on Transatlantic sessions with Ali and Gerry douglas

@katherinechrist-janer5636 9 жыл бұрын

Beautiful woman. Brings me to tears how she persevered to learn to play..

@Homeslicebread 15 жыл бұрын

Absolutely astounding! 90 years old and still rife with meaning. Elizabeth is remarkable every time. Expressive and unrestrained by the oppressive ways of her time and the others that mandated such a sad state of affairs, yet her, resilient, and seeking solace in the diversions of her inner thoughts. A guitar virtuoso, an epic, a spirit of the highest ascensions.

@Framusic 3 жыл бұрын

Most remarkable is that she's playing a right handed guitar left handed; just upside down, but without changing the strings around. I wonder if Jimi Hendrix could play Freight Train this way; actually I doubt it.

@rodentraiser3995 8 жыл бұрын

I remember back sometime in the early 70s, I saw Elizabeth Cotten on a TV show and she played Freight Train. She seemed so old and frail and her voice was a little reedy, but she played that song for all it was worth. It made a heck of an impression on me and I never forgot it.

@kitchengirl627 10 жыл бұрын

She was the real deal, pure and simple... against all odds, love you, Lizzie, always and forever will!

@taildragger53 12 жыл бұрын

I've heard some very intricate versions including Chet Atkins' but when Elizabeth Cotton plays it the story unfolds...the song comes alive inspite of her age . To me, hers was a true gift from God. You can feel the humility, love, sincerity that hits you right in the heart. If it doesn't then maybe you don't have one.

@victorwadsworth821 10 жыл бұрын

Just got a signed album of her's off Ebay for a little more than a $100.00. What a testament to American Folk Music, she left some huge footsteps.....

@ljtgx 9 жыл бұрын

I never met Elizabeth but I knew she worked for years for the Seeger family in Virginia. She was loved by the family.When she died, I went to Beacon NY to talk with Pete for CBS News. I had Pete come down to a RR track by the Hudson River and play the song, and talk about Elizabeth. Lovely piece, it aired on Dan Rather and CBS Evening News.

@MakinMovesTv 3 жыл бұрын

@@ljtgx need that video

@MundaSquire 8 жыл бұрын

What I like about roots music, comes deep down from one's soul and connects with all soul's together. Corporate created artists, eat your hearts out.

@MrWoody1961 9 жыл бұрын

Hi from New Zealand, The amazing thing about this women and the way she played the guitar and banjo. Is that she was left handed, but both the guitar and banjo are strung right handed. So she virtually, just played a right hand guitar and banjo upside down. That is very hard to do. I'm left handed, but I string the guitar with bass E string from top to treble E string to bottom. Jimmy Hendrix's did the same too. I have two friends who play right handed guitars upside down. NOT EASY! Moreover, I often wonder if she ever was paid the rewards, her song deserved. Her contribution folk music will never be forgotten. Excellent video clip. Elizabeth R.I.P.

@0otee 3 жыл бұрын

‘Freight Train’ she plays here so beautiful with her beloved guitar Thanks so much Elizabeth🌺❤️🌹🌞🎶👌 RIP 🌹LYRICS: A version!! Freight train, freight train goin' so fast Freight train, freight train goin' so fast I don't know what train I'm on Won't you tell me where I'm goin'? When I die bury me deep Down at the end of old Chestnut street Tell all the people that I've done gone And where I've gone I just don't know Freight train, freight train goin' so fast Freight train, freight train goin' so fast I don't know what train I'm on So won't you tell me where I'm goin'?

@RRW276 9 жыл бұрын

I've been hearin' this song my whole life. I've known of Elizabeth Cotten and seen many videos on here on KZfaq. However, this particular video and performance brought tears to my eyes. If I remember just a few videos/performances, this will always be one of 'em.

@MeaningCorrupted 15 жыл бұрын

just imagine all the jems we didn't discover and haven't discovered out there

@jonathanmosley9598 6 жыл бұрын

This brought a smile to my face when she was talking about how hard she worked for a guitar. She has a lot to teach us all about hard work and perseverance.

@rudieloraine 10 жыл бұрын

I love Elizabeth Cotton. What a kind soul!!!

@Scanjoon 8 жыл бұрын

What a gorgeous looking woman!

@Treatsandthreadscom 4 жыл бұрын

indeed

@GlennFiddles 11 ай бұрын

That subtle bend she plays on the F chord must be one of the most soulful notes ever played on the guitar anytime, any place.

@GEORGEROV 12 жыл бұрын

You wont hear a better guitar accompaniment to Freight Train than this from the old gal . Simple and superb .

@howardcobb4354 6 ай бұрын

Inspired me to learn fingerpicking all those years ago. Then l discovered Mississippi John Hurt, Gary Davis , and all those wonderful players . Priceless.

@gent30x 16 жыл бұрын

Fantastic - Thanks for the posting - She even bend the bass note - rich and detailed played and at the age of 90 - Simple just fantastic post and interview.

@lmcventura5 10 жыл бұрын

What an inspiring lady. I have struggled to learn to play guitar all my life without much success, and watching this today motivates me to keep trying to master the instrument!!

@Mongo76 14 жыл бұрын

Wow man .... I see and Hear My grandmother, my great aunts, my great grandmothers and every ancestral woman in my family. She sounds and talks just like them and has the same personality and sassiness about her..... She's so many people and she is also herself.

@TheBeerman43 15 жыл бұрын

we are fortunate that these precious moments were captured by someone that had the foresight to preserve musical history. talented beautiful soul that is in heaven I'm sure!

@leonardcanter4596 Жыл бұрын

Thankfully Someone Saved the Elizabeth Cotten Video ! I first heard about her back in the 1950s. Now in 2023 , at 80, I'm relearning the song "Freight Train" and how to finger pick a Gretsch G5022CWFE A/E. Guitars have changed over the past 100 years; However, her song "Freight Train" keeps on going. Thank You Elizabeth Cotten !!

@bcole1240 3 жыл бұрын

I could listen to black old folk talk all the time so interesting there stories.

@ryanmckay2535 6 жыл бұрын

Looking down the barrel of 100 years old, has forgotten more about finger picking than most will ever know and has a fire in her eyes that could melt steel. Talent and just plain good people like this will never happen again, at least in the foreseeable future. Sad times we are stuck in lately, very goddamned sad.

@benporter6576 Жыл бұрын

The moment at the very end where she closes her eyes and just channels the guitar playing is a moment of true beauty. "Freight Train" it is a true gem! I sincerely hope she can still hear old number nine!

@KevinChat1 3 ай бұрын

I love this woman,she is absolutely wonderful God rest her soul RIP😢💜❤️💜😢

@johnvaughan5265 8 жыл бұрын

What a wonderful and gifted lady she was.

@GodsVibes 8 жыл бұрын

She is a Master, pure beautiful. rip Elizabeth, you made this world a better place.

@phdseuss 15 жыл бұрын

wow...she wrote freight train when she was 11. i find it amazin that she stopped playin for so many yrs that when she started again its as if she never stopped. god bless her soul. she wont b 4gotten.

@TriggaTreDay 3 ай бұрын

Her fingers are moving so fast with such ease 🤯. She gives me so much to look forward to. I’m a new learner in my early 30s and I now know that I will have the power to play until the end of time. ❤

@musicloveranthony 16 жыл бұрын

90 years old...I highly recommend her video, "in concert!" it's amazing

@poltergiest11 13 жыл бұрын

it just makes me cry listening to this wise old beauty, in her wisdom and fruitful life...its that ol livin country voice that i just love, God bless her soul.

@pierreleroux2441 Жыл бұрын

Bless her soul all be it she is already in heaven, absolutely amazing.

@MrSnippety 9 жыл бұрын

Her story made me cry. The world is fucked up

@sis2fngpkr 8 жыл бұрын

+MrSnippety ......and getting worse!!

@ddh2o759 9 жыл бұрын

beautiful musical genius

@jazzayr1 11 жыл бұрын

Class!!! such a nice Lady ,god bless her!!! and who would give thumbs down to this film shame on you!!! she is the Hendrix!!!!

@dieselman7453 7 ай бұрын

I love her she’s super cool man can u imagine her life hard parts and good parts wat a resilient lady just super wereever she is she definitely playing a geetar 😀😀cheers from Ireland 🇮🇪🎸🎸🎸🎸I love playing this tune 😍😍😍😍

@coliban 17 жыл бұрын

Yes, beautiful and impressing Thank you

@bopbopbobert 14 жыл бұрын

A lot of us first head freight train on a peter paul & mary album. Lisbeth made this a better planet to live on.

@cheddarpuff 13 жыл бұрын

The melodie of this song churned my guts around. In a good way.

@peterrussell1941 15 жыл бұрын

A great lady, thankfully rediscovered before she died in 1987 and beautifully captured on this video at the age of 90. Freight Train is my all-time favorite song for the guitar.

@2davewh 10 жыл бұрын

Elizabeth Cotton. Great to see and hear you again. A classic song, really inspiring. Wish I could be with you today .Dave Hunter, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

@taperecorder3 11 жыл бұрын

She lived from horse an an buggy to seeing man on the moon the greatest time slot ever? To figure out a nearly imposible guitar style to figure out is absoutely genius i play clasical rock blues an i consider when i get this style down i will finaly have something to brag about

@meleeECI 15 жыл бұрын

Wow, I could sit and listen to her tell stories for hours. Freight train is an amazing song, I love how Doc Watson does it too.

@TheTinker6871 2 жыл бұрын

When I first learned to play some 50 years ago, I already knew the style I wanted to learn; that Atkins/Travis/Cotton style. And the first song was Freight train.

@diddywahdaddy 10 жыл бұрын

Love that grin at 6;49!! Beautiful clip too, which I will treasure deep in my heart and soul besides saving it on my KZfaq account. What a gal!!

5 жыл бұрын

She taught herself the banjo( her brother's) , and guitar. She wrote "Freight Train" when she was still a child. Many famous guitarists have recorded the song.

@samlupo100 4 жыл бұрын

W hen I was a child I would sing this song over and over. It was one of my favorites. Later on in life I became an aide doing home care. I went to the house as a sub and helped her daughter go to her visit with her doctors. When I was waiting for daughter I met Libba. I was more than happy. She was so sweet and kind. I was very pleased. I never told her I sang her songs when I was younger. Now sorry I didn't. This was in 1985. Nancy Lupo

@The14weed 13 жыл бұрын

She is playing that guitar upside down ... what a wonderful woman with wonderful spirit and music.... bless you Miss Elizabeth...

@spudcustardx1 7 жыл бұрын

None of us are going to live forever, because we don't have enough talent to be remembered for. Not this lady, she should have been include on the voyager disk. This is the artistic version of radium and take the piss out of me if you like. But to me some kind of feminism and equality was born in this. I love lots of music, but this I will fight for. Never give up

@chrischarles9218 10 жыл бұрын

Awesome! This lady is the real deal.

@hectornagano1819 3 жыл бұрын

What a lovely lady.

@ranaerutherford4689 11 жыл бұрын

Visionary, Ms. Cotten

@spudcustardx1 8 жыл бұрын

I love this lady, she is so much better than me and more important than me and she has done so much more with music than I could. I got it in the 1950;s from Nancy Whisky, not sure I would have got how awesome this version was at the time. This is rarefied air if you get it. love Spud

@jerrylyons9279 Жыл бұрын

what a wonderful lady.

@tracylea 10 жыл бұрын

I love this interview!!!

@armingonzalez4324 8 жыл бұрын

I'M sure she is playing for our God now.great woman! I love that one she wrote Freight train.

@droolglop1110 8 жыл бұрын

+Armin Gonzalez who is your god?

@mosescotton 16 жыл бұрын

Elizabeth is a Goddess. She inspires.

@judicoulter8969 Жыл бұрын

Thank you lovely lady. A true genius.

@Mr1962KDSelvis 14 жыл бұрын

If this doesn't touch you waaaaay down deep there's something inherently wrong with you. You might want to have yourself checked for lack of a heart. My God my God what a story. What a woman ! She reminds me of my own grandmother who was part Cherokee. Looks very similar. I will be showing this to my kids and anyone else I can think of.

@GodsVibes 3 жыл бұрын

Elizabeth was a Gift to the World and is a National Treasure for all to Remember :-)

@ethnicmusiclover 6 жыл бұрын

I found her through Brianna Lea Pruett who covered this song on Labor Day 2009 Dolores Park San Francisco. Brianna has lead me to so much music and I treasure her for that. Just to bring this music out was wonderful of her though she is gone at 32 years old. Elizabeth Cotton was a treasure of the 20th Century in music and to watch her play this I cannot put into words. She was in her 90's and wonderful.

@JMP_2203 7 жыл бұрын

This is the kind of music that speaks to your soul. You don't listen to it so much as you _feel_ it.

@ZXC5000 16 жыл бұрын

What a beautiful person

@delita60 15 жыл бұрын

That was absolutely beautiful. What an amazing lady. Beautiful guitar playing.

@janetpotter9851 8 жыл бұрын

fantastic.so glad this not lost.

@starrchild99 15 жыл бұрын

I wish my nan rocked as much as Elizabeth Cotten!

@LiquidGib 11 жыл бұрын

w0w, after playing this for so long on the guitar, I never thought I would actually hear Elizabeth Cotten play it. Genius.

@MUSIC-MARY 3 жыл бұрын

WE LOVE YOU "LIBBY"!!!

@ddoyle11 3 жыл бұрын

What a joy to listen to this woman. She is a true American icon.

@Spiritree41 14 жыл бұрын

Wow she was awesome...

@Surreallism007 12 жыл бұрын

Old but Gold

@charlesdespres 14 жыл бұрын

Beautiful music and an amazing woman! I remember being absolutely floored when I first heard her. "Freight Train" was the first fingerpicking song I ever learned, and Stefan Grossman's videotape was an incredeible help.